Terroir 2006 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 International Terroir Conferences 9 Terroir 2006 9 Influence of vine water status (Terroir 2006) 9 Terroir and vine water relation effects on grape ripening and wine quality of Syrah/R99

Terroir and vine water relation effects on grape ripening and wine quality of Syrah/R99

Abstract

A Syrah/R99 vineyard in the Stellenbosch area was used. The vineyard is vertically trained and spaced 2.75 x 1.5 m in north-south orientated rows on terroir with Glenrosa soil and west-facing slope. Irrigation (to 100% field water capacity) treatments were applied at different development stages [all stages (including berry set stage); pea size; véraison; post-véraison]. Combined effects of water status and ripeness level were investigated. Preliminary results are presented. Irrigated and non-irrigated vines differed in terms of soil water status, particularly during ripening. Vine water status during late ripening stages varied according to timing of water supply. Secondary leaves seemed most sensitive to water stress, but essential to buffer extreme terroir conditions. Vines displayed independence of soil water during late ripening. Irrigation favoured berry mass stability. Sucrose flow to berries was restricted at the last ripeness level, indicated by increased concentrations in bunch rachis. This may serve as tool to determine a window for harvesting. The window from ripe to over-ripe grapes was reduced when vines were exposed to lower soil water levels. Similar anthocyanin patterns found with skin and whole berry extraction and reduced skin sucrose contents indicated disintegration, oxidation and respiration during the last ripeness level in skins. Treatments being deficit-managed for a longer period showed earlier maximum wine quality (ripeness level 1). Vines irrigated at all development stages and those irrigated at pea size stage, showed later maximum wine quality (ripeness level 2). Wine quality of all treatments was reduced at the third ripeness level. Pre- and post-véraison cultivating conditions seem to have a determining effect on grape ripening. Preliminary results showed that the ripening period may be extended and berry condition maintained for longer by improved vine water status on a specific terroir.

DOI:

Publication date: January 12, 2022

Issue: Terroir 2006

Type: Article

Authors

Jacobus J. HUNTER (1) and Alain DELOIRE (2)

(1) ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij, Private Bag X5026, 7599 Stellenbosch, South Africa
(2) Agro Montpellier, UMR 1083 « Sciences pour l’œnologie et la viticulture », 2 place Viala, 34060 Montpellier cedex 1, France

Contact the author

Keywords

terroir, water relations, canopy, grape ripening, wine quality

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2006

Citation

Related articles…

Evaluation of grape and wine quality according to harvest date, in a tropical region in Northeast Brazil

The Northeast region of Brazil is characterized by a semi-arid climate, has produced tropical wines since twenty years ago. The region is located at 09º 09’ South, 40º 22’ West, 365.5 m

Zoning, environment, and landscape: historic and perspective

Dans une approche globale, nous proposons la définition suivante du zonage : “représentation cartographique associée à une sectorisation du territoire en zones unitaires homogènes à partir de facteurs discriminants établis sur la base d’indicateurs quantifiables et d’avis d’experts”. La première application de cette méthode a porté sur la caractérisation du terroir en liaison avec les aspects qualitatifs des vins. Il est également possible d’envisager d’appliquer cette démarche dans les stratégies environnementales et paysagères liées aux approches territoriales et aux pratiques viticoles. Cette méthode peut servir de base dans la mise en œuvre des outils financiers associés aux mesures environnementales (CTE, aides spécifiques).

Multispectral fluorescence sensitivity to acidic and polyphenolic changes in Chardonnay wines – The case study of malolactic fermentation

In this study, stationary and time-resolved fluorescence signatures were statistically and chemometrically analyzed among three typologies of Chardonnay wines with the objectives to evaluate their sensitivity to acidic and polyphenolic changes.

CHARACTERIZATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF YEAST BIOACTIVE PEPTIDES RELEASED DURING FERMENTATION AND AUTOLYSIS IN MODEL WINE

Aging wine on lees is a consolidated practice during which some yeast components (e.g., polysaccharides,
proteins, peptides) are released and solubilized in wine thus, affecting its stability and quality.
Apart from the widely studied mannoproteins, the role of other yeast components in modulating wine
characteristics is still scarce. Wine peptides have been studied for their contribution to taste, antioxidant,
and antihypertensive potentials. However, the peptides detected in wine can be influenced by the
interaction between yeasts and grape components.

Model-assisted analysis of the root traits underlying RSA genotypic diversity in Vitis: a promising approach for rootstock selection?

By dissecting the root system architecture (RSA) into its underpinning components (e.g. root emission, axial growth, radial growth, branching, root direction or tropism) and identifying the relationships between them, functional-structural 3D root models are promising tools for analyzing the diversity and complexity of root system phenotypes with Genotype × Environment interactions. The model parameters are assumed to be synthetic traits, less influenced by the environment, and consequently with less polygenic architectures than the integrative RSA traits they drive. Root models can serve as a basis for in silico development of root system ideotypes by highlighting the developmental processes and parameters that most likely influence RSA fitness.